Senator Eggleston to move on the next day of sitting:

That the time for the presentation of the report of the Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee on Australia’s national parks be extended to 12 April 2007.

Senator Watson to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate:

(a)

notes that the week beginning 25 March 2007 marks 50 years of European integration with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome; and

(b)

acknowledges that through European integration, the Treaty of Rome has led to peace, stability and prosperity within Europe and paved the way for the establishment of the European Union.

Senator Murray to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate, noting that private equity will often include investment by funds holding the superannuation savings or investment monies of millions of Australians, and because of the actual and potential scale of private equity market activity, refers the following matters to the Economics Committee for inquiry and report by 20 June 2007:

(a)

an assessment of domestic and international trends concerning private equity and its effects on capital markets;

(b)

an assessment of whether private equity could become a matter of concern to the Australian economy if ownership, debt/equity and risk profiles of Australian business are significantly altered;

(c)

an assessment of long-term government revenue effects, arising from consequences to income tax and capital gains tax, or from any other effects;

(d)

an assessment of whether appropriate regulation or laws already apply to private equity acquisitions when the national economic or strategic interest is at stake and, if not, what those should be; and

(e)

an assessment of the appropriate regulatory or legislative response required to this market phenomenon, if any.

Senator Bartlett to move on 10 May 2007:

That the Senate:

(a)

notes that:

(i)

27 May 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the referendum giving the Federal Government the power to make laws for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to count them in the census, and

(ii)

the referendum was passed with an unprecedented level of support from more than 90 per cent of Australians, and is a great example of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together in support of equal rights for Indigenous people;

(b)

recognises the continuing need for the legislative and other powers of the Commonwealth to be used to redress the profound economic and social disadvantage continuing to be experienced by many Indigenous Australians;

(c)

acknowledges that efforts of successive governments and parliaments since 1967 have not been successful in eliminating the disadvantages experienced by many Indigenous Australians or in ensuring they have the same opportunities as other Australians;

(d)

notes, in particular, the facts that Indigenous Australians:

(i)

still have an average life expectancy that is 17 years less than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts,

(ii)

represent only 2 per cent of the Australian population but represent more than 14 per cent of people in Australian prisons and even more of those taken into police custody, and

(iii)

experience an unemployment rate approximately three times that of non-Indigenous Australians and enjoy an average income only two-thirds the national average;

(e)

notes that a truly representative structure, established in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which will ensure they have a voice in all decisions which affect their communities Indigenous representation is sadly lacking and that there is still no national structure;

(f)

commits to giving greater priority to addressing the needs of Indigenous Australians and to paying greater heed to the diverse views, abilities and achievements of Indigenous Australians from all parts of our nation;

(g)

recognises that Australia will not reach its full potential as a nation until there is full respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their unique, valuable and continuing heritage of this land; and

(h)

encourages all Australians and all political parties to revive and rebuild the cooperative spirit of the 1967 referendum to complete the unfinished business of ensuring true equality of opportunity for all Australians.

Senator Bob Brown to move on10 May 2007:

That:

(a)

Amendment 56 (The Griffin Legacy – Principles and Policies);

(b)

Amendment 59 (City Hill Precinct);

(c)

Amendment 60 (Constitution Avenue); and

(d)

Amendment 61 (West Basin)

of the National Capital Plan, made under section 19 of the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988, be disallowed. [F2006L03950, F2006L03952, F2006L03955 and F2006L03970]

Fifteen sitting days remain, including today, to resolve the motion or the instrument will be deemed to have been disallowed.

Senator Nettle to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate:

(a)

notes that the guilt or innocence of Mr David Hicks cannot be definitively assessed as he has not faced a fair and proper legal process; and

(b)

calls on the Government to expedite his return to Australia.

Senator Allison to move on the next day of sitting:

That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to create incentives and a market for energy savings, which are additional to energy efficiency activities set by minimum energy performance regulation, through white certificate trading, and for related purposes. Energy Savings (White Certificate Trading) and Productivity Bill 2007.